Developed by K-Studio in collaboration with engineering consultancy Arup, the proposed transformation of Athens Kallithea FC’s “El Paso” stadium moves beyond a conventional sports renovation. Located in the Kallithea district of Athens, the project conceptualizes the historic venue as a contemporary public destination where football, culture, leisure, and community life intersect.
The proposal combines architectural preservation with new urban interventions designed to activate the stadium throughout the week rather than only on match days.
Stadium Expansion Extends Beyond Football
The redevelopment proposal introduces a wider vision for the future of El Paso, transforming it into a mixed-use civic destination. Alongside increasing the stadium’s seating capacity from 6,300 to 9,000, the project adds hospitality areas, wellness facilities, exhibition spaces, and retail and dining zones.
Instead of functioning only as a sports venue, the stadium is designed to support everyday social activity, encouraging people to engage with the site beyond football events. The strategy reflects a growing architectural approach where stadiums become active urban environments integrated into public life.
Green Public Spaces Reconnect the Stadium With the City
One of the project’s major interventions focuses on opening the stadium’s currently fenced perimeter to the surrounding neighborhood. The redesign replaces rigid boundaries with greener public landscapes filled with new vegetation and expanded tree coverage.
In one of Athens’ densely built districts, this transformation improves accessibility while helping reduce urban heat and enhance the local microclimate. The landscape strategy also strengthens the connection between the stadium and the city, allowing residents to use the site as a social and recreational space throughout the week.
A Scaffold-Inspired Facade Activates Matchday Culture
The proposal introduces a new architectural façade inspired by traditional Athenian scaffolding systems. Wrapping around the existing structure, the layered addition creates flexible zones for public gatherings, exhibitions, retail spaces, and hospitality programs before and after games.
This architectural layer gives the stadium a second rhythm tied not only to football but also to cultural and community activity. The intervention allows El Paso to operate as a dynamic civic environment capable of hosting events and experiences beyond sports.
Preserving the Character of El Paso
Despite the extensive modernization, maintaining the identity of El Paso stadium remains central to the project. The stadium is one of Greek football’s most recognizable venues, named after the Greek title of Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More because of the dramatic quarry-like landscape surrounding the pitch.
The redesign carefully preserves the raw atmosphere and spatial identity that supporters associate with the venue while upgrading accessibility, comfort, and functionality. The project balances contemporary architectural needs with the emotional and cultural significance attached to the historic ground. Additionally, the redevelopment reflects Athens Kallithea FC’s broader effort to connect football with culture, design, and community engagement.
Project Credit: K-Studio
Renderings: © Filippo Bolognese
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